The Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education’s break through for research mechanism in Indonesia

by Muchamad Rochim on Apr 11, 2016

Jakarta (02/19/16) – The Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education performed a breakthrough for reserach development in Indonesia in order to create a contributive atmosphere during its implementation, as advised by Muhammad Dimyati, Director General of Development and Research Enhancement, over a press conference at 2nd floor of D Building, Senayan, Jakarta.

The breakthrough is through their goods account with special treatment for research, the Block Grant Mehcanism, and the use of SBK (having classification such as Manuscript, model, Ntional Publications, Accredited National Publications, International Publication, Publication of Reputed International, innovation-based research depending on technology readiness levels, etc.)

As presented by Dimyati, more than half of 58% regarding technology sources used in Indonesia came overseas. This could be seen as innovation supremacy within Republic of Indonesia still overseas driven. “Even though we have so many researchers in universities, more than ASEAN country universities, the fact is innovation utilizing research used in Indonesia many came from overseas. Money produced in Indonesia, are being sent out to pay royalties overseas.”

Over the years there have been obstacles towards research activities, where according to Muhammad Dimyati exist within budgetary structure on spending accounts for goods (52), which causes financial accountability for researchers. In order to solve these problems, the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education organized discussions with relevant agencies. Among proposal suggested is to simplify Researches’ Budget Reconciliation.

Therefore, the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education structured a Master Plan for National Research (RIRN), as a technical task outline for all national stakeholders durring planning stage until evaluation, in particular related to budget. Thus, researchers performance could be aligned with global standards, which are to do research properly, publishing results, exclusive rights, and license transactions with prestige.

Muhammad Dimyati, Director General of Development and Research Enhancement stated that one subject matter that needs to be supported to enhance the quantity and quality of research is infrastructure. Indonesia must prioritize infrastructure, taking consideration a researcher need to be close with the community and object of research to examine the problem without any obstruction. In particular related to financial accountability preparation which is relatively rigid.

Currently neighboring countries are in a race to pursue competency in science and technology. China’s development and research spending reached 2% of its GDP, far beyond Indonesia which is still in the range of 0.09% to GDP.

In 2013, Indonesia’s GDP is less than 868.3 billion US dollars, while China’s GDP is at 9.24 trillion US dollars. Observing 2010 data in a glance, China was in top 10 countries of nonnative researchers’ origin in Indonesia, and the amount of Chinese researchers is 3% from total nonnative researchers. In 2011 it amounted 4%, during 2012 rose to 6%, and in 2013 it become 8%. Research done by Chinese researchers in Indonesia, in particular related to oceanography ranked 6 in 2014.

Through the years, the number of research permits involving nonnative researchers continue to increase during 2000-2014 period. In 2000, the numbers of permits issued are as many as 116 permits. It began to increase in 2006 to 309 permits, then reached 547 permits in 2010. By 2014, this number had become 512 permits.

In 2014, the country having the most researchers is the United States (23%). Japan ranked 2nd with 19%, followed by France (14%), Germany (13%), and Australia (8%).

With regards to collaboration towards nonnative researchers, Dimyati responded “When a nonnative researcher is very qualifed, the associate assigned from our side has a wide gap, in cases where we have a qualified one, and he then conduct research for 2-3 months, he did not have enough time, thus assigned his staff to continue”

Indonesia requires 200,000 researchers in various fields to compete with other countries. Currently resources related to science and knowledge, in particular registered Indonesian researcher at LIPI is about 8,000 people whilst 16,000 researchers are working in universities. Wheras the number of researchers under supervision of private institutions could not be determined. Those numbers is of course too small compared with Indonesian population already approaching 240 million. As acomparison, Belarus, a small country in Europe have 36 researchers per 10,000 population, while Indonesia is 1 (one) per 10,000 population. (EKS-TIO)

The Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education’s break through for research mechanism in Indonesia